Bale band splicer



y 1959 J. N. GARRETT 2,886,817

'BALE BAND SPLICER Filed Dec. 31, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 MENTOR Jock N. Garrett ATTORNEY May 19, 1959 Filed Dec. 51, 1957 J. N. GARRETT 2,886,817

BALE BAND SPLICER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 g INVENTOR Jock N. GorreH BY I M%v/ 4 ATTORNEY May 19, 1959 J. N. GARRETT 2,886,817

BALE BAND SPLICER Filed Dec. 31, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet a is 20 I? V? 2a A? INVENTOR Jock N. Gorreff ATTORNEY May 19, 1959 J. N. GARRETT 2,886,817

BALE BAND SPLICER Filed Dec. 31, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 UEZ 4a 3 3? a 3a e Q a 32 f 26 JSQX I a Z 27 2s v Fig.5

INVENTOR Jock N. Garrett Fig.6 Y w fzzw ATTORNEY United States Fatent Patented May 19, 1959 BALE BAND SPLICER Jack N. Garrett, McGregor, Tex.

Application December 31, 1957, Serial No. 706,416

3 Claims. (Cl. 1-177) This invention relates to a bale band splicer, and it concerns more particularly a fully automatic machine for use in splicing short pieces of strip material suitable for use in tying, binding, fastening or securing bales, boxes, cartons, cases and the like for convenience in shipping, storing and handling.

In one example thereof, the invention is particularly useful for connecting short pieces of metal strip material of the type used in tying cotton bales. The invention permits the recovery for subsequent use of short pieces of strip material which otherwise would constitute waste.

Short pieces of metal strip material of the type described have been spliced heretofore by arranging the adjacent ends of two strips end to end, in overlapping relation to each other, and crimping a suitable metal clip about the juxtaposed ends of the string.

An object of the invention is to provide an automatic machine for splicing metal strips which is capable of cutting a short piece from one of the strips to be spliced, to form a clip, and thereafter attaching the clip to the adjacent ends of the strips, in a single operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic machine for splicing metal strips which is capable of cutting a short piece from one of the strips to be spliced, forming a clip from the cut piece, arranging the adjacent ends of the strips in overlapping relation to each other, arranging the juxtaposed ends of the strips in crimping position relative to the clip, and crimping the clip about the strips, in a continuous series of steps.

The invention contemplates an automatic machine for splicing strip material having means for positioning a pair of strips substantially end to end, means for cutting a short piece from the adjacent end of one of the strips for use as a clip, means for bending the end portions of the clip upwardly substantially at right angles to an intermediate portion thereof, means for aligning the clip longitudinally with the adjacent ends of the strips, in position to receive them, means for advancing the strips longitudinally relative to each other whereby their adjacent ends overlap, means for advancing the juxtaposed ends of the strips relative to the clip, whereby the ends of the strips are arranged across the clip, between the upturned ends thereof, and means for folding the ends of the clip upon an intermediate portion thereof and about the ends of the strips while simultaneously indenting marginal portions of the strips and the folds of the clip.

The invention will be readily understood by referring to the following description and the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a front elevational view of a band splicing machine embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view;

Figure 3 is a top plan view;

Figure 4 is a sectional plan view taken on the lines 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of the apparatus;

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the electrical and pneumatic controls; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a band which has been spliced.

Referring to the drawing, the band splicing machine of the invention includes a table-like frame, designated generally by the numeral 1, having a top 2, which forms a working surface, two pairs of legs 3, and a horizontal shelf 4 positioned below the top 2. A pair of bands to be spliced, numbered 5 and 6, which are shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, are arranged end to end across the top 2.

Figure 5 shows the position of of the adjacent ends of the bands 5 and 6 at the beginning of the splicing operation.

The bands 5 and 6 are each clamped intermediate its ends to one of two supports 7, which are attached to the top 2 and extend upwardly therefrom. The sup ports 7 are adjustable vertically and horizontally relative to the top 2, and have automatic electrically and pneumatically operable means as hereinafter described for clamping the bands 5 and 6 thereto and for adjustably positioning the bands 5 and 6 relative to the top 2.

Each of the supports 7 includes a base comprising a rectangular block 8, which is supported upon the top 2 and is slidable longitudinally relative thereto. A platform comprising a horizontally disposed plate 9 is suspended from the rectangular block 8, below the top 2, by two pairs of tubular members 10.

A pneumatic cylinder 11 is conneced at one end to a bracket l2, which is attached to the under side of the top 2. The cylinder 11 has a piston reciprocable therein, the piston being connected by a rod 13 and an arm 14 to the platform comprising the plate 9 and the tubular members 10, whereby the rectangular block 8 is movable longitudinally by the action of the cylinder 11.

A pneumatic cylinder 15 is supported upon the platform comprising the plate 9 and the tubular members 10. The cylinder 15 has a piston reciprocable therein, the piston being connected by a rod 16 to the lower end of a rectangular block 17, which extends upwardly through a slot 13 formed in the rectangular block 8, whereby the block 17 is movable vertically by the action of the cylinder 15.

A vertically disposed rectangular block 19, which is arranged parallel to the block 17, is connected thereto at its lower end and comprises an upward extension thereof. A pneumatic cylinder 20, which is attached to the block 19, has a piston reciprocable therein and connected by a rod 21 to a clamping member 22 positioned below the cylinder 20. An upstanding clamping member 23, which is connected at its lower end to the upper end of the rectangular block 17, in parallel relation to the block 19, is positioned opposite the clamping member 22 for engagement with one of the bands 5 and 6.

A pair of elongated members 24 are each pivotally connected at one end to one of the rectangular blocks 19 and yieldably suspended therefrom intermediate its ends. The elongated members 24 are normally positioned substantially horizontally, and extend inwardly from the supports 7 toward the longitudinal center of the top 2. The adjacent ends of the elongated members 24 are bent forwardly at substantially right angles, and each have a horizontal slot 25 formed therein for engagement with one of the bands 5 and 6.

A circular head 26, which is rotatable degrees as hereinafter described, is received in an opening 27 provided therefor in the top 2 adjacent its longitudinal center, substantially equidistant between the supports 7 and in alignment therewith. The head 26 includes a circular top plate 28, which is receivable in the opening 27 and has a flanged marginal portion for engagement with the upper side of the top about the opening 27', and a circular bottom plate 29 which is co-extensive with the top plate 28 and is secured thereto by a plurality of bolts 30.

Three parallel plates 31, which are spaced relative to each other by two pairs of spacer plates 32, the plates 31 and 32 being fastened together by bolts 33, are positioned partly in slots provided therefor in the top plate 28 and the bottom plate 29 and partly above the top plate 28, and are secured to the plates 23 and 29 by the bolts 30.

The spacer plates 32 of each pair are shaped to define a cavity 34 in the under side of the head 26, between the adjacent plates 31. A pair of dogs 35 are positioned in opposed relation to each other in each of the cavities 34. The dogs 35 are pivotally connected to the head 26 by pins 36, which extend through aligned openings provided therefor in the plates 31, and extend downwardly below the head 26.

Mutually aligned slots 37 are formed in the upper edges of the plates 31, in the center thereof, and the adjacent edges of the spacer plates 32; are aligned with the sides of the slots 37 to form a continuous transverse slot extending across the plates 31 and 32. A pair of upstanding members 38 and 39 are positioned above the plates 31 and 32, adjacent the sides of the slots 37, and are secured to the plates 31 and 32 by bolts 40.

As shown in Figure 5, the upper surface of the upstanding member 38 provides a support for an intermediate portion of the band in the initial position thereof, upon starting the machine, and forms a cutting edge for use in conjunction with a cutter 41 to cut off a portion of the band 5 for use as a clip to splice the adjacent ends of the bands 5 and 6. Upper portions of the upstanding member 39 provide a support for the adjacent end of the band 5, a stop therefor, and an abutment for engagement by the spliced band to eject it from the machine, as hereinafter described. Lower portions of the upstanding member 39 provide a support for the adjacent end of the band 6, and a stop therefor.

In the operation of the machine, the bands 5 and 6 are initially positioned as shown in Figure 5, with the adjacent ends of the band 5 extending across the slots 37 and supported upon the upstanding members 38 and 39, and with the bands 5 and 6 additionally supported upon the supports 7 as above described, and the clamping members 22 are actuated by operation of the pneumatic cylinders 21 The cutter 41 cooperates with the adjacent edge of the upstanding member 38 to cut off a portion of the band 5 to form a clip d2, shown in dotted lines in Figure 5, for use in splicing the adjacent ends of the bands 5 and 6. A plunger 43, which is rectangular in cross-section and shaped to conform to the shape of the slots 37, is adyanced downwardly for engagement with the cut portion of the band 5 comprising the clip 4-2, whereby the clip 42 is forced downwardly into the slots 37 to bend end portionsof the clip 42 upwardly at substantially right angles to an intermediate portion thereof.

After forming the clip 4-2, the plunger .3 is withdrawn from the slots 37 and the head 26 is rotated 90 degrees, as hereinafter described, whereby the slots 37 and the clip 42 are aligned longitudinally with the bands 5 and 6. The bands 5 and 6 are advanced longitudinally into overlapping engagement with each other within the slots 37, by operation of the pneumatic cylinders ill, and at the same time the bands 5 and 6 are lowered in the slots 37, in engagement with the clip 42, by operation of the pneumatic cylinders 15.

The dogs 35, which have crimping dies formed thereon, are swung about their pivots 36 for engagement with the juxtaposed bands 5 and 6 and the clip 42 to crimp them together as shown in Figure 7. The machine is then returned to its original position, the clamping members 22 are released, the spliced band is ejected from the machine by abutment thereof against an upper portion of the upstanding member 39, and the cycle in repeated.

The plunger 43, which cooperates with the slots 37 .4 to bend the ends of the clip 42 upwardly at substantially right angles to its body, is reciprocable in a housing 44, which is positioned above the head 26 and is supported in spaced relation to the head 26 by an upstanding bracket 45. The bracket 45 is connected at its lower end to the top 2, rearwardly of the head 26. A pneumatic cylinder 46, which is supported upon the bracket 45 above the housing 44, has a piston reciprocable therein, the piston being connected at its lower end to the upper end of the plunger 43.

The cutter 41 is attached to a pivoted support which is enclosed within the housing 44 and pivotally connected thereto whereby it may be rotated in a vertical plane. The pivoted support carrying the cutter 41 is acted upon by the plunger 43 on its downward stroke whereby it cuts the band 5 to form the clip 42, after which it is disengaged by the plunger 43.

A pneumatic cylinder 47 is suspended from the bottom plate 219 of the head. 26 by three vertically disposed tubular members 48, which are spaced. degrees apart relative to the circumference of the plate 29. The cylinder 47 has a piston reciprocable therein, the piston having a rod 49 extending upwardly therefrom. The piston rod 49 is pivotally connected at its upper end to a pair of links 5%, which are pivotaily connected at their opposite ends to the lower ends of the dogs 35. The dogs 35 are capable of being rotated about their pivots 36 by operation of the cylinder 47.

A pneumatic cylinder 51, which is pivotally connected to the under side of the top 2, has a piston reciprocable therein, the piston having a rod 52 which is pivotally connected to one of the tubular members 43 whereby the head 26 may be rotated 90 degrees by operation of the cylinder 51.

The pneumatic cylinders 20, 46, 51, 11 and 15, and 47 are operable in response to the action of two way air valves 53, 54, 55, 56 and 57, respectively, whereby the pistons which are reciprocable in the several cylinders are movable in opposite directions. Operation of the air valves 53, 54, 55, 56 and 57 is controlled, respectively, by pairs of pilot valves 58, 59, 60, 61 and 62, which are actuated, respectively, by pairs of cams 63, 64, 65, 66 and 67. The cams 63, 64, 65, 66 and 67 are mounted on a cam shaft 68, which is rotated by a. motor 69 through speed reducing gears 70.

The air valves and the pilot valves may be of any suitable construction. Any suitable timing means may be employed for controlling the operation of the air valves. The timing means may be operated either electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically, or by a combination of such means. The cylinders 11, 15, 20, 46, 47 and 51 may be operated hydraulically rather than pneumatically if desired.

Operation of the motor 69 is started by manipulation of a starting switch 71, and is stopped automatically by operation of a switch 72 which is acted upon by a cam 73 mounted on the cam shaft 68.

As shown in Figure 7, the end portions of the clip 42 are folded upon an intermediate portion thereof, and about the juxtaposed ends of the bands 5 and 6, by the action of crimping dies formed on the respective dogs 35. At the same time marginal portions of the juxtaposed ends of the bands 5 and 6 and the adjacent folds of the clip 42 are slit transversely to form a series of marginal tabs on each side thereof, alternate tabs being indented, as at 74, by the action of the crimping dies of the respective dogs 35.

The invention may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic machine for splicing strip material having means for cutting a short piece from one of the strips to be spliced, means for bending the ends of the short piece to form a clip, and means for attaching the clip to the adjacent ends of the strips, in a continuous series of steps.

2. An automatic machine for splicing strip material having means for cutting a short piece from one of the strips to be spliced, means for forming a clip from the cut piece, means for arranging the adjacent ends of the strips in overlapping relation to each other, means for arranging the juxtaposed ends of the strips in crimping position relative to the clip, and means for crimping the clip about the strips, in a continuous series of steps.

3. An automatic machine for splicing strip material having means for positioning a pair of strips substantially end to end, means for cutting a short piece from the adjacent end of one of the strips for use as a clip,

means for bending the end portions of the short piece 15 upwardly substantially at right angles to an intermediate portion thereof, means for aligning the clip longitudinally with the adjacent ends of the strips, in position to receive them, means for advancing the strips longitudinally relative to each other whereby their adjacent ends overlap, means for advancing the juxtaposed ends of the strips relative to the clip, whereby the ends of the strips are arranged across the clip, between the upturned ends thereof, and means for folding the ends of the clip upon an intermediate portion thereof and about the ends of the strips While simultaneously indenting marginal portions of the strips and the folds of the clip.

No references cited. 

